Primordial Strength Inc. President Steven Helmicki of East Aurora was recently named a Sports Legacy Institute Ambassador. The mission of the Sports Legacy Institute is to advance the study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups. SLI was founded in 2007 to “Solve the Sports Concussion Crisis,” and in 2009, SLI launched programs to also serve military veterans.

SLI is primarily focused on the study of the degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, a condition caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive brain injuries. Helmicki contributes by communicating the Institute’s message locally and continues to advance neck and trap training that aids in the mission.

Helmicki knows first-hand the catastrophic potential for neck injury in sports. He convinced former Eden athlete Keien Williams to commit to neck training. While playing football for Temple University, Williams suffered a fractured C1 vertebrae when another player landed on his head. Williams was able to walk off of the field and made a full recovery that both he and his doctors contributed to the strength of his neck.